Metrology system for positioning assemblies

Abstract

A method and apparatus for maintaining a selected configuration for a structure. Metrology data for a support system is received while the support system holds the structure. A determination is made as to whether a current configuration of the structure is within selected tolerances of the selected configuration for the structure based on the metrology data. The support system is moved to move the structure held by the support system into the selected configuration in response to a determination that the current configuration of the structure is not within the selected tolerances of the selected configuration for the structure.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of maintaining a selected configuration for a structure, the method comprising:
 generating metrology data by:
 emitting signals from a group of transmitters positioned relative to a support system; 
 receiving the signals at each of a plurality of target systems associated with the support system; 
 generating position information by the each of the plurality of target systems to form the metrology data; 
 
 receiving, by a controller, the metrology data for a plurality of supports comprising the support system while the support system holds the structure, wherein each of the plurality of supports comprises a supporting member connected to the structure; 
 determining, by a controller, whether a current configuration of the structure is within selected tolerances of the selected configuration for the structure based on the metrology data; and 
 moving the support system, by a controller, to move the structure held by the support system into the selected configuration in response to a determination that the current configuration of the structure is not within the selected tolerances of the selected configuration for the structure. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein each target system in the plurality of target systems comprises at least three targets configured to receive the signals, wherein the at least three targets have a known arrangement. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining whether the current configuration of the structure is within the selected tolerances of the selected configuration for the structure based on the metrology data comprises:
 identifying a plurality of positions for a plurality of control points using the metrology data, wherein each of the plurality of control points is selected from one of a point on a support in the support system and a connection point between the structure and the support. 
 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining whether the current configuration of the structure is within the selected tolerances of the selected configuration for the structure based on the metrology data comprises:
 identifying a plurality of local coordinate systems for a plurality of supports of the support system using the metrology data. 
 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , wherein determining whether the current configuration of the structure is within the selected tolerances of the selected configuration for the structure based on the metrology data comprises:
 identifying a structure coordinate system for the structure using the plurality of local coordinate systems. 
 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , wherein determining whether the current configuration of the structure is within the selected tolerances of the selected configuration for the structure based on the metrology data comprises:
 comparing the structure coordinate system to a global coordinate system. 
 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , wherein determining whether the current configuration of the structure is within the selected tolerances of the selected configuration for the structure based on the metrology data comprises:
 determining whether a plane of the structure coordinate system is parallel to a plane of the global coordinate system. 
 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7 , wherein moving the support system to move the structure held by the support system into the selected configuration comprises moving a supporting member connected to the structure to align the structure coordinate system with the global coordinate system such that the plane of the structure coordinate system is substantially parallel to the plane of the global coordinate system. 
     
     
       9. An apparatus comprising:
 a support system configured to hold a structure, wherein the support system comprises a plurality of supports and wherein each of the plurality of supports comprises a supporting member connected to the structure; 
 a metrology system that generates metrology data for the plurality of supports comprising the support system while the support system holds the structure, wherein the metrology system comprises:
 a group of transmitters configured to emit signals from positions relative to the support system; 
 a plurality of target systems associated with the supports comprising the support system, wherein each target system in the plurality of target systems comprises at least three sensors, and wherein the plurality of target systems is configured to receive the signals and generate position information to form the metrology data; and 
 
 a controller that receives the metrology data, determines whether a current configuration of the structure is within selected tolerances of a selected configuration for the structure based on the metrology data, and generates commands for moving the support system to move the structure into the selected configuration in response to a determination that the current configuration of the structure is not within the selected tolerances of the selected configuration for the structure. 
 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein each target system in the plurality of target systems comprises at least three targets configured to receive the signals, wherein the at least three targets have a known arrangement. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the controller is configured to determine whether the current configuration of the structure is within the selected tolerances of the selected configuration for the structure based on the metrology data by:
 identifying a plurality of positions for a plurality of control points using the metrology data, wherein each of the plurality of control points is selected from one of a point on a support in the support system and a connection point between the structure and the support. 
 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the controller is configured to determine whether the current configuration of the structure is within the selected tolerances of the selected configuration for the structure based on the metrology data by:
 identifying a plurality of local coordinate systems for a plurality of supports of the support system using the metrology data. 
 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the controller is configured to determine whether the current configuration of the structure is within the selected tolerances of the selected configuration for the structure based on the metrology data by:
 identifying a structure coordinate system for the structure using the plurality of local coordinate systems. 
 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the controller is configured to determine whether the current configuration of the structure is within the selected tolerances of the selected configuration for the structure based on the metrology data by:
 comparing the structure coordinate system to a global coordinate system. 
 
     
     
       15. The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the controller is configured to determine whether the current configuration of the structure is within the selected tolerances of the selected configuration for the structure based on the metrology data by:
 determining whether a plane of the structure coordinate system is parallel to a plane of the global coordinate system. 
 
     
     
       16. The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the commands for moving the support system are configured to move a supporting member connected to the structure to align the structure coordinate system with the global coordinate system such that the plane of the structure coordinate system is substantially parallel to the plane of the global coordinate system. 
     
     
       17. A method of maintaining a selected configuration for a structure, the method comprising:
 generating, by a controller, metrology data by:
 emitting signals from a group of transmitters positioned relative to a support system, wherein the global coordinate system is defined with respect to the group of transmitters; 
 receiving the signals at a target system associated with the support in the plurality of supports; 
 generating position information by the target system to form the metrology data; 
 
 receiving, by a controller, metrology data for a plurality of supports comprising the support system while the support system holds the structure, each of the plurality of supports comprises a supporting member connected to the structure; 
 identifying, by the controller, a local coordinate system for a support in the plurality of supports of the support system using the metrology data; 
 comparing, by the controller, the local coordinate system to a global coordinate system to determine whether a current configuration of the structure is within selected tolerances of the selected configuration for the structure; and 
 moving the supporting member of the support connected to the structure, by the controller, to move the structure held by the support system into the selected configuration in response to a determination that the current configuration of the structure is not within the selected tolerances of the selected configuration for the structure.